Seatuck works across Long Island on a variety of wildlife issues, employing a multi-pronged approach to advancing conservation. We conduct wildlife surveys, educate public officials, host workshops, install monitoring equipment, lead coalitions and pursue a host of other approaches to promote wildlife conservation and habitat restoration.

Check here for the most recent information on Seatuck's conservation work

The Campaign for Long Island Wildlife

In 2015 Seatuck launched the "Campaign for Long Island Wildlife" an advocacy initiative to advance wildlife conservation across Long Island. The campaign is Island-wide in scope, but focuses heavily on the region’s coastal resources, especially the Great South Bay. Through the campaign, Seatuck works to protect and restore native habitats and wildlife communities, and advance strategies to mitigate adverse impacts on wildlife.

This dual focus–on both protecting and restoring wildlife and reducing adverse human activities–is necessary to achieve success and ensure the health and sustainability of our coastal ecosystem. To advance the campaign, Seatuck collaborates with a host of local, state, and federal governmental partners, as well as other conservation and civic organizations.

The “Campaign for Long Island Wildlife” addresses a range of issues central to maintaining and restoring healthy natural systems. Current work under the campaign includes the following issues:

Long Island’s tributaries have been mismanaged for centuries. From historic impoundments for mills, ice and recreation to modern road building, channelizing and bulkheading, our rivers and streams have been seriously degraded and their ecological functions severely compromised. Seatuck advocates for tributary health across the region, including efforts to remove dams, install fish passage and restore Long Island’s migratory fish species. Click here to learn more.

Barrier Islands

The barrier islands along Long Island’s south shore combine to create one of the most ecologically rich coastal environments in the country. The islands also serve a vital role in sheltering the mainland of Long Island from the ocean, and are a tremendous recreational asset. Seatuck will advocate for management of the barrier islands in a way that preserves–and improves–their critical natural functions.

Salt Marshes

Estuarine marshes are among the most biologically productive habitats on the planet. Commonly referred to as the “nurseries of the sea”, they also play vital roles in filtering pollutants, preventing shoreline erosion, and protecting uplands from storms. By some estimates, Long Island has lost more than 75% of its original marshes to development. And most of what remains has been severely degraded by mosquito ditching and other habitat manipulations. Seatuck will promote the expansion and restoration of salt marsh habitat.

Wildlife

Protecting Long Island's wildlife is at the core of Seatuck's mission. Seatuck will enhance efforts related to a range of wildlife species (e.g., horseshoe crabs, diamondback terrapins and American chestnut), conservation issues (e.g., bird window strikes and power plant intake impacts) and unique ecological locations (Montauk blue mussel beds and Plum Island).

Other Conservation Work

Citizen Science

Seatuck is actively involved in various wildlife surveys and other "citizen science" projects. Some are Seatuck-initiated efforts to gather baseline wildlife information about the Scully Estate and other properties where the organization is involved. Others are regional, statewide or nationwide programs in which Seatuck participates, assuming responsibility for a certain location or region on Long Island. These include the annual Captree Christmas Bird Count and the NY DEC Waterfowl Survey, among others. Volunteers are invited to participate in all wildlife surveys in which Seatuck is involved - no experience is necessary. Watch the Seatuck website for announcements about upcoming surveys. In addition, many of these projects are conducive to incorporating educational components and can include class or private group participation. Learn more ...

Property Surveys & Management

Seatuck staff conduct wildlife surveys and provide ecological management consulting to private land owners and municiapal managers, helping decision makers better understand, manage and conserve the ecological resources on their property. If you are interested in assistance with your conservation goals call (631) 581-6908 or email us atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Past Conservation/Research Projects

Seatuck's research roots run deep. In fact, Charles Webster and others founded the organization in 1989 to continue the work of the Seatuck Research Program (SRP), a partnership between the Peters-Webster family, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology that spent ten years (1979 - 1989) researching salt marsh management, nesting waterbirds, local deer populations, Lyme disease and other topics related to suburban wildlife. The SRP was a well-respected research institution in the region, known for a time as "Long Island's Natural Resources Think Tank."

Limited copies of the following SRP reports are available for research needs:

Lyme Disease on Long Island

Colonial Waterbird Survey

Open Water Marsh Management

Final Report Floyd Bennett Field Study

If you are interested in a copy please call (631) 581-6908 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.